A CHARITY which runs a project providing support to families of defendants jailed at courts in Teesside and Durham has been boosted by £148,551 of funding.

Nepacs will receive the cash over five years from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Staff and volunteers from Nepacs provide facilities in seven prison and young offender establishments across the North-East including prison visitors’ centres, play areas, youth projects and integrated family support.

In July 2013 the charity launched its courts project offering families of defendants’ information about the court process including the workings of different prisons and courts, how and when to arrange visits and how to stay in touch with a loved one in prison.

To date, 1,292 families have accessed the service on offer, also receiving support and a listening ear.

Jane Leak, Nepacs court project co-ordinator, said: “Every year thousands of families experience court proceedings and the impact of a custodial sentence despite never having being involved in or committed a crime.

“For those families who are unfamiliar with the judicial system or who are unprepared this can be a distressing time.

“Our dedicated team on the ground offer a listening ear, a helping hand and friendly support to help make things a little easier.”

A spokesman for the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, one of the largest independent grant makers in the UK, said: “We are very happy with the progress that the Nepacs court project has made over the past three years in establishing the support service for families of offenders in courts and through befriending and are keen to support the continued development of the project.”

Volunteers are always needed who can give up a few hours of their time for the project. Anyone interested should e-mail jleak@nepacs.co.uk or visit the website www.nepacs.co.uk to find out more.